How would you do this?

[zoran]

My head is about to explode...
I wish to upgrade my mid2010 iMac to working in HSierra. But things are tricky since i dont have enough free space and not many options.
There are Two ssd’s in my iMac: A and B.
- ssd A (1TB, HSierra bootable, APFS formatted, bought is last month i dont really use it, i mostly created it for demo purposes, i used Migrating Assistant to take the settings from ssdA, there are a 1TB of Xtra files files that are only available in this ssd).
- ssd B (500GB, ElCap bootable, OSXext formatted, working since 2016, its my main drive, all apps are there, and a few important files 300GB).
Theres only close to 800GB of available free space in an ext drive.
I want to install HSierra preferably on ssd A (newer drive) and transfer the remaining files in ssdB

 

[DeltaMac]

I think I am missing something about your question...
You say that ssd A is HSierra bootable. That means (to me) that you have a High Sierra system installed on that ssd A, and you can boot to that drive.
And, now you want to install HSierra on that same SSD, but don't have enough free space?
There must be some other information that you haven't told me yet.
But, assuming that you still want to install a HSierra system on SSD A - why not just move a few GB (some of those Xtra files that only exist on SSD A) - to your external drive. If your SSD A is very full, then you should be able to install HSierra on SSD A by moving about 50 GB. That would give you plenty of space to install your HSierra system.

Sounds like you also should consider getting a larger external drive

 

[jeyf]

serious 2010 hardware is very very old. You may not get the intended goodness after you install that new os.
use up what you have.
buy some time and wait till apple gets the bugs out of their new hardware software.

there are more options than you think. my neighbor, not technically inclined, installed and uses a popular linux distros.
i assume you have researched the typical storage foot print for your new apple operating system. I am guessing there is enough room on yoru drives already?

 

[zoran]

#Delta Let me know if this is a correct/safe approach. Im thinking of deleting -manually file by file- the HSierra system on ssdA, leaving me only those Xtra files. Then i will be able to install -on ssdA- the new HSierra OS, using MigrationAssistant. It will be based on the main system (Elcap on ssdB) that im already working with.

Now here is the part that needs to take a decision. I will have 2ssds with diff file system. ssdA using APFS and ssdB using OSXext. Wont i have to install a new version of HSierra on ssdB so that it uses APFS too? And this so that file exchange will be easy from either OS?

 

[zoran]

serious 2010 hardware is very very old. You may not get the intended goodness after you install that new os.
use up what you have.

I have already tried HSierra with the apps im using and seems ok. Nothing changes, no drama.

buy some time and wait till apple gets the bugs out of their new hardware software.

bugs out of hardware software? what exactly are you talking about?

there are more options than you think. my neighbor, not technically inclined, installed and uses a popular linux distros.

why do u propose linux? will it help in someway?

i assume you have researched the typical storage foot print for your new apple operating system. I am guessing there is enough room on yoru drives already?

ssdA has around 100GB free and ssdB 75GB free

 

[DeltaMac]

If you install HSierra on your ssdB, then that will automatically convert that ssdB to APFS. So, yes, you would then be able to access all files on both drives. Installing HSierra on ssdB will update and replace El Cap system files with the HSierra files. Lots of users here talk about doing only clean installs when upgrading the system, but others are just fine with a simple upgrade install.

Sounds like you are ready to put El Cap behind you, and use only HSierra going forward.

 

[zoran]

Lots of users here talk about doing only clean installs when upgrading the system, but others are just fine with a simple upgrade install.

Might there be an issue when doing UNclean installs?

 

[MBAir2010]

Sounds like you are ready to put El Cap behind you, and use only HSierra going forward.

great advice, high sierra can do and run anything el cap can.

 

[DeltaMac]

Might there be an issue when doing UNclean installs?

Using your words, an unclean install would be one that you simply install the new system on top of the existing system. The advantage is that you have an identical system that you have upgraded the operating system. All settings remain in place.
A "clean" install means that you erase the drive first, install a fresh system, and set up everything from scratch. It's a new system. You will install your apps, make the changes to the settings to customize everything as you go forward.
Takes longer, and some users (like me) don't want to take the time to "massage" all the software that you use, every time you want to upgrade your system. Others prefer a clean install, because you don't transfer possible corrupted settings, or other issues caused by software that might be fixed with that full "clean" install.
And, some folks aren't having real issues, and simply want the simplest way forward. So, if your El Cap system, along with the installed apps, basically works as you might expect (no real glitches, and you are OK with how your system works), the simple upgrade from El Cap to High Sierra should be just that, an upgrade, with few issues, other than some differences with upgrades to some of the system apps, and possible upgrades for apps that are supported by High Sierra, but not on your El Cap system.

Some people might like you to think that an "unclean" upgrade is like replacing your bed mattress at home, then swapping the old sheets to the new mattress without laundering the sheets first. Not really a good analogy, but some folks would like you to think that the result is like "dirty sheets" with a simple upgrade of an existing system.
Shouldn't really be a problem, unless you know that you are already having issues with your existing system.

 

[zoran]

Ok all is set (HSierra) on the 1st SSD. What should i do with the 2nd SSD?
I will be storing files there, but i am wondering how should i format the ssd? Using APFS or OSExt?

Where is it best to place my personal folders? Should i place them along with the user's folders (some where in line with Applications/Desktop/Documents/Downloads etc.) or should i just create folders in the SSD's Root folder?

 

[DeltaMac]

Some users here say that you should use APFS, because the boot disk is APFS.
I don't particularly agree with that, but I don't have an actual reason - I just choose to disagree.
Maybe I just prefer to use Mac OS Extended (also known as HFS+), so probably nothing more than personal preference.
Now, if you could update to the current Big Sur, then I would suggest - without recommending it - APFS.

Where to put your personal "stuff"?
I would not use the root of the drive.
Your own home folder (your user folder) would be just fine for that, I think.

Or, you could leave anything that is already on your SSD 2 in place, and just make an alias for any folders that you use often. You could leave that on your Desktop, or just another folder in your Dock, etc.
It's "personal choice" after all.

 

[zoran]

Thanks Delta. I was hoping that the answers to my questions were more than just personal preference. I thought that there should be a reason that when using OS’s from HSierra and upwards all drives should be APFS.
As for for storing files, why would placing them to the user folder be optimum? Is it just a matter of sorting/organising files, or might it be something more?

 

[DeltaMac]

I don't know about "optimum" in this case...
I often will put files, that I might want to allow easy use by other user accounts on a Mac, in the /Users/Shared folder.

I often use "personal preference" as my excuse for a lot of things that I do with Macs.

But, yes, there might be a good (technical?) reason to use external drives formatted APFS, but I haven't paid that much attention to that subject. I do know that Big Sur complicates the issue, but I don't use Big Sur yet, other than for a little "get familiar" time. I don't use it regularly yet.
Maybe the best answer I can give: There's nothing wrong with doing it either way. So far, it's -- yes -- personal preference.
Finally, sorting/organizing files is a Good Thing™ and really and truly is your choice.
Unless you need a particular setup because of "your boss/company/organization that you work for," and they determine the rules for file organization. All bets are off, then.